JOLIET, Ill. — Danica Patrick is having conflicting emotions when it comes to family this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

Her racing family is on two opposing sides in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. And her personal family is coming to watch her race, which poses another set of challenges.

Patrick’s Nationwide Series team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is racing in the 12-driver Chase, but so is Tony Stewart, the owner of her Sprint Cup team.

When asked to pick the one she wants to win the title, Patrick responded with a bit of unease.

“Since I’ll be driving (full time in Cup) for Stewart-Haas next year, I guess it would mean I would probably be cheering for Tony a little bit more since that will be my full-time team next year, if I had to pick one,” Patrick said.

“That’s a really unfair question.”

Patrick, who is racing in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races this weekend, did say that she believes that Earnhardt has a good shot in the Chase. Earnhardt was second in the regular-season standings, but now trails Stewart, who was 10th but vaulted into a tie for second based on his three wins.

“When the Chase comes around it’s about momentum and who is coming into it with momentum,” Patrick said. “Then again, you look at what Tony did last year.

“I can remember watching the interviews and the few races leading up to the end of the regular season and into the Chase, and he was getting put on the spot every weekend about making it in.

“Then he came in and just kicked ass. That’s what can happen (to win the title), and that’s what makes it exciting.”

“I had a really good relationship with (Eury Sr.),” Patrick said. “I really liked him. He’s definitely one of those old-school guys. So, it will be sad to not see him around, but that’s business.

“As far as the new arrival, I don’t know him that well. I’m sure I’ll get to know him as the year goes on but there’s not too much left. With any organization, it’s tough to turn the ship instantly. I’m sure he will be doing his best and trying to help things.”

As for her own family, Patrick is hosting relatives attending the race this weekend. A native of nearby Roscoe, Ill., she is hoping they have a good time, but it will be up to her husband to do the entertaining.

“You want to make time for them for making the effort to support you,” Patrick said. “In my situation, which is trying to create realistic expectations—low expectations for the people coming to the track—basically you are not going to see me until after the race.

“(You say) something like that so they don’t get their hopes up and think they are going to spend an hour hanging out with me knocking back beers before the race.”

Patrick said she does like for family members to come see her race.

“It doesn’t make the weekend easier, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate that people show their support and care and want to be a part of it and see it,” she said.

“Ultimately, I’m glad that they come, and I’m glad they don’t come all the time.”